Agenda item

To consider the following Notice of Motion to be proposed by Councillor Godfrey and seconded by Councillor Mather:

“That this Council recognises the exceptional service given by care workers who have continued throughout the pandemic to deliver essential care services in the home for the most vulnerable residents in our District by the Council arranging for them to be able to park for free either in on- or off-street parking spaces controlled by the Council while they are working to provide care at home.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Godfrey as follows. The Motion was seconded by Councillor Mather.

“That this Council recognises the exceptional service given by care workers who have continued throughout the pandemic to deliver essential care services in the home for the most vulnerable residents in our District by the Council arranging for them to be able to park for free either in on- or off-street parking spaces controlled by the Council while they are working to provide care at home.”

Councillor Godfrey introduced his Motion.  He acknowledged that further to the public question earlier in the meeting regarding the same matter, it had been clarified that an informal arrangement was currently in place to provide free parking for care workers and NHS community staff delivering care services in the home.  However, he stated that this arrangement should be formalised and publicised.

AMENDMENT -Moved by Councillor Tod and seconded by Councillor Learney, as follows:

Replace the word ‘arranging’ in the Motion with ‘continuing to arrange’, as set out below:

“That this Council recognises the exceptional service given by care workers who have continued throughout the pandemic to deliver essential care services in the home for the most vulnerable residents in our District by the Council arranging continuing to arrange for them to be able to park for free either in on- or off-street parking spaces controlled by the Council while they are working to provide care at home.”

In introducing the Amendment, in summary, Councillor Tod advised that its intention was to make clear that free parking for care workers was already in place.  He acknowledged that the policy would need to be better promoted, including with care workers and their employers.  

During debate on the Amendment, in summary, the following points were raised:

• Councillor Godfrey (as mover of the original Motion), acknowledged commitment to the scheme, however there currently was no evidence that it existed as a formal council policy, nor of its promotion.

• Would any parking fines inadvertently issued to care workers over the last year be refunded?

• The Amendment, if carried, would imply that people were already aware of the scheme.  There was a need to clearly articulate that the policy existed.

• There was a need to clarify which types of care workers should benefit, for example whether to extend to all NHS community staff.

• Cabinet agreed earlier in the pandemic that all NHS, key workers (including care workers) would benefit from free parking arrangements. 

• There was a need clarity within the policy as the council would wish to avoid its potential abuse. 

Council then voted on the Amendment.

AMENDMENT – CARRIED

Council then proceed to debate the Substantive Motion (original Motion as amended) and in summary, the following points were made:

• Many other councils had a formalised system for free parking for all types of care worker staff and the council should research these as best practice.

• Councillor Tod advised that the council would be be reviewing use of all parking permits. Any ideas regarding best practice to revise and improve the care worker scheme would be considered.   Any fines inadvertently issued potentially due to inadequate publicity of the scheme could be investigated. 

• Winchester District Older Persons Partnership was aware of the existing scheme.  Members should always advise officers and Cabinet of any recurrent issues that they may have become aware of in their communities.

• Councillor Tod was requested to advise, outside of the meeting, of numbers of carers taking up the scheme.

Before voting on the Substantive Motion (original Motion as amended), Councillor Godfrey (as mover of the original Motion) gave his right of reply. 

In summary, Councillor Godfrey was pleased that there was general consensus to assist carers with free parking.  There was the need to consider ongoing support after the pandemic.  The council’s website set out various exemptions to parking charges and reference to care workers should feature here. The existing scheme should be reviewed and best practice from other councils incorporated.

Council then voted on the Substantive Motion (original Motion as amended), which was carried. 

RESOLVED:

That this Council recognises the exceptional service given by care workers who have continued throughout the pandemic to deliver essential care services in the home for the most vulnerable residents in our District by the Council continuing to arrange for them to be able to park for free either in on- or off-street parking spaces controlled by the Council while they are working to provide care at home.